Etch: meaning, definitions and examples

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etch

 

[ ɛtʃ ]

Verb / Noun
Context #1 | Verb

chemical

To engrave a surface with acid in order to create a design or pattern.

Synonyms

carve, engrave, inscribe

Examples of usage

  • He etched his initials into the glass bottle.
  • The artist etched a beautiful scene onto the metal plate.
Context #2 | Noun

technology

A process of making prints from a metal plate, usually zinc, on which an image is chemically etched onto the surface and then transferred to paper.

Synonyms

engraving, impression, print

Examples of usage

  • The etch of the print was sharp and clear.
  • She learned the art of etching in her printmaking class.

Translations

Translations of the word "etch" in other languages:

🇵🇹 gravar

🇮🇳 उकेरना

🇩🇪 ätzen

🇮🇩 menggores

🇺🇦 гравірувати

🇵🇱 trawić

🇯🇵 エッチングする

🇫🇷 graver

🇪🇸 grabar

🇹🇷 kazımak

🇰🇷 에칭

🇸🇦 نقش

🇨🇿 leptat

🇸🇰 leptať

🇨🇳 蚀刻

🇸🇮 jedkati

🇮🇸 grafa

🇰🇿 жазу

🇬🇪 გრავირება

🇦🇿 oyma

🇲🇽 grabar

Etymology

The word 'etch' originated from the Dutch word 'etsen', meaning 'to eat, corrode'. The term 'etch' has been used since the 17th century to describe the process of engraving or corroding a surface with acid to create a design. Over time, the term expanded to include the process of making prints from etched metal plates. The art of etching has been a popular technique in printmaking and graphic arts for centuries.

See also: etchant, etcher, etching, etchings.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,037, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.